Duncanville ISD Board of Trustees Meeting Summary

Published Feb. 9, 2016

Every month the Duncanville ISD Board of Trustees convenes a regular meeting to publicly address the business of the school district. Community members and business partners are encouraged to attend and participate. There is a public speaking section during every meeting that provides an opportunity for anyone to share positive feedback or concerns. However, the board is unable to take action on any item that is not already included on the meeting’s agenda.

Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at the Duncanville ISD Education Plaza (710 S. Cedar Ridge Drive).A highlight of board decisions at this month’s meeting on Monday, Feb. 9, 2016, included:

Dr. Fanta Fridia
is Duncanville ISD’s new Science Coordinator. She comes to the district with
more than 10 years in education – most recently as Science Department Chair at
Cedar Hill ISD.Dr. Fridia earned her
Bachelor of Science in Biology at Xavier University of Louisiana and received
her Doctorate of Chiropractic from Parker College of Chiropractic.

Marcy Moran is
Duncanville ISD’s new Director of Accounting. Moran was most recently employed
with the Cedar Hill Independent School District as Director of Business Services.
Moran received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of
Texas – Arlington.

2016-2017 Duncanville
ISD District Calendar Update

After
reviewing results from the 2016-2017 District Calendar survey, it is clear that
calendar “B” was the most popular among staff and the community. This is the
calendar that includes school ending on Thursday, June 1 for students and
Friday, June 2 for teachers. What remains unclear is which semester break is
ideal and if secondary or elementary campuses have a stronger preference for
either. To address those questions, a second survey of only calendars B1 and B2 will be distributed this week. In addition to
selecting one of these two calendars with different semester breaks, you will
be asked to identify as working in a secondary or elementary school. With this
information the Board of Trustees will be better informed about your interests
when selecting a 2016-2017 calendar later this month.

The
survey will be posted to the district website and distributed by email later
this week.

All-State
Recognitions

Four
Duncanville High School students received the highest recognition of individual
musical achievement by qualifying for the All-State Band. They auditioned on
Saturday, January 9 with students from the Dallas area, Central Texas, North
Austin and North Houston.

State Band
and one was chosen as an alternate. This achievement is a special and unique
honor. The students represent the top 1-percent of all high school band
students from across the state. Congratulations to:

Reed Giunta,
English Horn

Claudia
Corpeno, B-flat Clarinet

John Cruz,
Baritone Saxophone

Sharif Long,
Tuba

Ramiro
Caballero, Tenor Trombone *all state alternate

Two Duncanville
High School students received the highest recognition of individual musical
achievement by qualifying for the All-State Choir. Senior Jeremy Brown was selected to
perform with the TexasAll-State Mixed Choirin San Antonio as part
of the 2015 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention. This is the
second year in a row he has earned this prestigious honor, this year as 2nd
chair bass in the top choir. DHS senior Joel Poole will perform in the Men’s
All-State Choir. Both students were selected through a series of competitions
held throughout the state at district, region, pre-area and area levels.

"Made with Pride in Duncanville"
Recognitions

Debbie Thibodeaux, a counselor at Hyman
Elementary, is the Made With Pride in Duncanville – Teacher selection for
the month of February. Thibodeaux has gone above and beyond to help change
the culture at Hyman Elementary. She has turned the cafeteria into a Café de Hawks.
Students with excellent behavior are chosen by their teachers through a
daily drawing to determine who gets to eat at the Café de Hawks.
Read more.

Kaelon Christle, a seventh grader at Kennemer
Middle School, is the Made With Pride in Duncanville – Student selection
for the month of February. Kaelon is an excellent student. His handwriting
is phenomenal. He is an extremely focused student. His conduct is
excellent and he works very hard to overcome any learning disadvantages in
order to succeed. He is always asking how he can do better and he
goes out of his way to be courteous and polite.

Effie Calico,
Nutrition
Services cafeteria manager at Daniel Intermediate, is the Made With Pride
in Duncanville – Staff selection for the month of February. Daniel
had a fundraiser featuring In-N-Out Burger. Most of the students bought
tickets to participate, but there were still a small number of students who
needed to go through the lunch line. Without hesitation, Ms. Calico made
the decision to adjust the menu so that the students going through the line
would also have a hamburger. This seemingly small act provided a sense
of inclusion for all Daniel students. Read more.

Superintendent
Reports

Trustees received an update on Duncanville ISD’s 2014 Bond
Program. View the update
for more information.